Feedback: Is state breaking the law by capping what it will repay for Detroit bankruptcy ordeal?

Nov. 16, 2013

I read with much amusement about the State of Michigan setting a $5-million cap on the consulting fees incurred by the City of Detroit for professional services related to the ongoing bankruptcy.

Besides being grossly unfair, the state’s action may also be a flagrant violation of the 1978 Headlee Amendment to the Michigan Constitution. That amendment clearly requires that if the state mandates a service or program on a local unit of government, such as cities and school districts, it may reimburse that governmental agency.

The amendment was approved by voters after local officials were upset about the state requiring programs and services and forcing the locals to pay for them. The campaign theme by local government officials was “no more unfunded mandates.”

Apparently, the legal beagles in Lansing didn’t do their homework.

Leonard Poger

Westland

Obamacare disaster has had huge consequences

In reading Leonard Pitts Jr.’s column “You lied, Mr. President,” about the Affordable Care Act, it is obvious that other presidents have lied or mislead or parsed statements to fit a particular political need. However, this lie is having enormous consequences. In this case, the lie/misleading impacted our entire nation, our entire health care system and real people/families. The ultimate goal of helping so many will not be achieved. Our nation must step back, remove politics and get to the task of fixing this broken law.

Richard Pryce

Farmington Hills

Republicans didn't look out for Detroit before

GOP Party Chairman Reince Priebus should already be aware that it was his party’s influences during the 1950s and after that played a major role in bringing down Detroit.

Like my choice of Mike Duggan to lead Detroit by merit of his management skills, not his race, I welcome the GOP or any other party to offer solutions in rebuilding an inclusive Detroit. But let’s not forget that the GOP has been very much aware of the needs of the disenfranchised of Detroit for decades and did not choose to act in any major endeavors beforehand.

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Arvie A. Green

Detroit

There's no way GOP is looking out for Detroit

The commentary by Reince Priebus in the Free Press was good for a laugh. Starting now, the GOP is listening to Detroit’s problems. What, one may ask, has it been doing up until now? Whoever the denizens of Detroit are, we can be pretty sure that they aren’t the GOP’s normal clientele. So just who is it they will be listening to? Aside from the public relations aspect of Priebus’ visit, it probably would be better to stick to actions, not words.

Philip Marcuse

Birmingham

Time to get Detroit's jewel shining again

I read with great interest the article “With board’s OK of Belle Isle lease deal, state can get to work spiffing up park” and now... return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when ... Belle Isle had an aquarium, children’s zoo, handball court, pony rides and a golf course that’s useable. With the state making $10 million to $20 million in improvements, grass will be mowed regularly, the trails will be cleared of fallen trees, there will be adequate number of restrooms and maybe the water at Scott’s Fountain will once again change colors at night. Belle Isle is a crown jewel and this lease, by the state, may just be what it takes to make it the sparkling jewel in the stream.

However, the law is actually a remarkable step away from partisan control and toward a more independent judiciary.

Senate Bill 652 allows the Supreme Court to assign judges from the Court of Appeals to each case. Yes, conservatives currently hold slim majorities in both courts. But this is the same Supreme Court that was under Democratic control as recently as 2010, and the same Court of Appeals that is currently led by a Democrat. If this reform bill is a Republican power grab, it is a very weak and shortsighted one.

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The Michigan Supreme Court appointed the first judges for the new court earlier last week, and they selected two conservatives and two liberals. The Court clearly values ability over partisanship.

Compare that to the old system, where the Court of Claims was housed in the Ingham County Circuit Court, made up of all-but-permanently elected liberals in this reliably Democrat community.

The Free Press’ fears are unfounded. The Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals are a fluid group of judges, with shifting and unpredictable ideological majorities who are accountable to every voter in the state when they come up for re-election. Moving the Court of Claims from Ingham County to the statewide body will only lessen the impact of partisan politics on our independent judiciary system.

Gideon D’Assandro

Communications director, Michigan Freedom Fund

Court shake-up throws fairness out window

I have never seen such a blatant stacking of the deck. This “government” of ours in the state of Michigan has blown up any sense of fairness. A special panel of judges handpicked to hear “special” cases? Kind of puts “special” people above the law doesn’t it? Where has democracy gone?